florida driving information

Curious about clearing points from your Florida driving record or filing an accident report? We've got the Florida-based facts to help conquer your curiosity once and for all.

Florida driving information

Number of licensed drivers: 14,005,000

Registered vehicles: 15,315,000 (third-most in the U.S.)

Licensing and registration authority: Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles

State traffic info: Call 5-1-1 for travel times and traffic tips.

Total number of public roads in length: 121,447 miles (11th-most in the U.S.)

Violations, car accidents, and driving hazards

The Florida point system and your driving record

If you're convicted of a moving violation, you'll likely have 3 to 4 points added to your driving record. More serious violations, like speeding that leads to a crash, can add 6 points.

If you tally a certain number of points in a certain timeframe, your license can be suspended:

12 points within a 12 month-month period: 30-day suspension
18 points within a 18-month period: 3-month suspension
24 points within a 36-mohth period: 1-year suspension

Taking a basic driver improvement course

If you're convicted of a moving violation, you may be able to attend a Florida driving school to keep points off your record.

Find more info on Florida's highway safety website.

Reporting an accident in Florida

If you're involved in an accident that causes injury or $500 in property damage, you're required to report it to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles within 10 days.

Drivers in the military

If you're deployed, you or your spouse can renew your license by mail or online through gorenew.com.

DUIs in Florida

For first-time DUI convictions, drivers can expect a $500–$1,000 fine and face other penalties including jail time, community service, and a suspended license. If the driver's BAC is above .15 (or if there was a minor in the car), fines increase to $1,000–$2,000.

A DUI conviction can also have a lasting impact on car insurance. Some drivers are legally required to carry $100,000/$300,000 (per person/per accident) bodily injury liability and $50,000 property damage liability coverage.

FR-44/SR-22 forms

Drivers convicted of certain offenses (DUIs, failure to provide proof of insurance) may be required to file one of these forms with the state. These 2 forms certify financial responsibility in the form of higher-than-normal liability coverage limits.

Car theft

A recent National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) report shows that the most-stolen vehicles in Florida are:

2006 Ford Pickup (full size)
2000 Honda Civic
1996 Honda Accord
1997 Nissan Altima
2011 Toyota Camry
1996 Nissan Maxima
2000 Dodge Caravan
1999 Chevrolet Pickup (full size)
2004 Dodge Pickup (full size)
2010 Toyota Corolla

Regions with the most car theft

Miami / Fort Lauderdale
Orlando / Kissimmee / Sanford
Tampa / St.Petersburg / Clearwater

Driving in bad weather

It is called the Sunshine State, but weather conditions can change in a flash.

The Florida Highway Patrol offers tips for driving through standing water and other tricky conditions, along with links to state emergency services.

Moving to Florida

Vehicle registration

Florida requires you to register your car within 10 days of:

Becoming a Florida resident
Being employed in the state
Enrolling your children in FL public schools

Getting a drivers license

If you become a resident of the state, you'll have 30 days to get your FL drivers license.

Young drivers in Florida

Graduated licensing requirements

Minimum age for a learner's license: 15 years old
Minimum holding period: 1 year (without traffic violations)
Minimum age for an intermediate license: 16 years old
Minimum age restrictions lifted: 18 years old

Getting your license

When teens turn 18, they can get their full, unrestricted drivers license.

florida driving information